Rebuilding Culture by Supporting Artists

Friends and Artists,

As we dream about reconnecting and rebuilding, we also have a unique opportunity to reimagine a new and vibrant cultural sector. In the previous months, our newsletter has acknowledged how the arts are crucial to the future we envision beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. The life of vitality we seek to rekindle is vibrant because society was infused with the work of artists, musicians, and creatives.

In our community today, the arts continue to bring togetherness and a shared experience, a notion even more powerful in this time of self-isolation and social distancing. But the work of several of our own creative workers and performers in various fields has been put on hold. Despite creative workers bringing total industry earnings of $28.9 billion into Washington's economy in 2018 alone, many creative workers are concerned that a return to their livelihoods might be months, if not years, away.

If we believe in supporting the arts, we need to start by collectively supporting artists. Although artists and musicians are facing unprecedented scarcity of guaranteed work during this period, we are committed to thinking creatively about how we might leverage networks and support to create more long-term opportunities for cultural workers.

In its ability to draw people together, the visual and performing arts are a critical piece of every vibrant community. Together we can set the stage for a future where the arts are always growing and thriving. For more information about our mission, visit our website, or contact us at info@centerforartswwa.org. Onward and upward!

Sincerely,
The SWCA Team